Top News
* Apple Inc. plans to resume its analysis of recordings of Siri queries later this fall, after suspending the program following privacy concerns. Apple will no longer retain the recordings by default and will ask users to opt in, and will allow only Apple employees to analyze them, the company said.
* Alphabet Inc. unit Google LLC will launch a web version of its YouTube Kids app this week. YouTube Kids will let parents select from three age categories to ensure kids are shown age-appropriate content, according to a company post.
* Facebook Inc. fixed a software bug in its Messenger Kids app highlighted by U.S. Senators Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Reuters reports, citing a letter sent to the senators. Facebook Vice President Kevin Martin told the senators that the fix will prevent the issue from happening again and that the social networking giant is in regular contact with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on many issues, including Messenger Kids.
* Ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China should not have a significant impact on sales of Apple Inc.'s newest iPhones, but still pose a risk to the tech giant's long-term position in China, analysts said. Apple is preparing to unveil a fresh slate of iPhones with enhanced camera features next month.
Internet & OTT
* In more Facebook news, the company introduced additional requirements for advertisers looking to run ads about social issues, elections or politics. Facebook will now require advertisers to provide information about who they are and where they are located, in addition to displaying a "Paid for by" disclaimer on their ads.
* Hulu LLC rolled out a new Live TV Guide on Roku Inc. devices, tvOS and on Hulu.com. The Live TV Guide will let users access a full two-week grid guide to check show listings, record upcoming shows, movies and games in advance, and channel surf, the company said.
* Online learning portal Coursera Inc. acquired Rhyme Softworks, an online platform for hands-on projects, for an undisclosed sum. Coursera also launched Coursera Labs, a new capability that allows partners to create hands-on projects using any third-party software application, according to an official blog post.
* Netflix Inc. green-lighted a series called "The Girls on the Bus." The series, which is inspired by a chapter of Amy Chozick's book "Chasing Hillary," chronicles four female journalists who follow every move of a group of flawed presidential candidates, the company said.
* Netflix placed an order for a new Swedish original series "Love & Anarchy." The eight-part series follows Sofie, a career-driven consultant and married mother of two, and a young IT tech Max who she meets while on an assignment to modernize an old publishing house, the company said.
Regulation
* The U.S. Federal Communications Commission named Jeffrey Prince chief economist of the agency. Prince is a professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, according to a news release.
The day ahead
Early morning futures indicators pointed to a higher opening for the U.S. market.
In Asia, the Hang Seng rose 0.34% to 25,703.50, and the Nikkei 225 fell 0.09% to 20,460.93.
In Europe, around midday, the FTSE 100 was up 1.07% to 7,190.97, and the Euronext 100 rose 1.47% to 1,057.66.
On the macro front
The GDP report, the international trade in goods report, the jobless claims report, the corporate profits report, the retail inventories [Advance], the wholesale inventories [Advance], the Pending home sales index, the EIA natural gas report, the Fed balance sheet and the money supply report are due out today.
Click here to read about today's financial markets, setting out the factors driving stocks, bonds and currencies around the world ahead of the New York open.
Featured news
The Daily Dose Europe: Ericsson CEO departure; Huawei phone launch; CityFibre's FibreNation bid: Börje Ekholm could step down as CEO of Swedish tech giant Ericsson; Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is pushing through with plans to launch new smartphones in Europe; and CityFibre is among those interested in acquiring TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC's fiber broadband venture FibreNation.
South Korea, ASEAN mull streaming taxes; iQIYI, MNC in Indonesian OTT venture: South Korea and ASEAN member states are considering taxing streaming platforms, while Chinese video streaming service iQIYI Inc. partnered with Jakarta-based PT. Media Nusantara Citra Tbk to operate an over-the-top platform in Indonesia.
The Daily Dose Asia-Pacific: Google's Pixel production; Apple in India; Amazon's GoJek investment: Google is moving its Pixel smartphone manufacturing to Vietnam from China starting this year, Apple is set to commence selling its devices online in India in the coming months, and Amazon.com Inc. held preliminary investment discussions with PT Go-Jek Indonesia.
Hires and Fires: Viacom, CBS set board members for combined company; ComScore director resigns: The new ViacomCBS board will have a number of familiar faces with six former CBS Corp. directors and four former Viacom directors, while Paul Reilly resigned as a member of comScore Inc.'s board.
Featured research
Economics of Advertising: FOX's sports strategy results in telecast rating win in July: FOX (US)'s commitment to live sports resulted in a viewership win during the slow summer month of July. The broadcaster's coverage of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup finals and the 2019 MLB All-Star game were among the top telecasts for the month.
Economics of TV & Film: Disney's 2018 video releases draw in big bucks: Walt Disney Co. has had an unprecedented run lately when it comes to hit films, and it was the top studio once again in terms of video cost coverage. Its 10 films took in $2.00 billion in theatrical rentals and $1.25 billion in video cash flow.
Broadcast Investor: TV station retrans growth in Q2 ticks down slightly: TV station gross retransmission revenue for the broadcasters in this Kagan analysis grew 16.9% to $2.31 billion in the quarter, representing 45.4% of total revenue of $5.10 billion.
Global Multichannel: Global markets update — Japan: Kagan's updated Global Multichannel and Broadband analyses project Japan's pay TV penetration will remain relatively flat for the coming 10 years, growing from 28.4% in 2018 to 29.3% in 2029.
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